1)
What did they ask?
1.
Malbim: They did not know if people were struck due to the Kedushah of the Aron, that those who approach it must be Kadosh, and they had not sanctified themselves properly. Therefore, they said "who can stand in front of Hashem Elokim ha'Kadosh ha'Zeh?!" Or, perhaps the Aron does not want to dwell here, rather, in another place prepared for the Shechinah to rest. Therefore, they said "v'El Mi Ya'aleh me'Aleinu." 1
1
They did not assume that it should be in Shilo, for when Eli died, Mishkan Shilo was destroyed (Zevachim 118b). (PF)
